M50 Standstill: Dublin Protests Cause Gridlock

0:00On April 9, protests over skyrocketing fuel prices have turned Dublin's M50 northbound into a total standstill this afternoon. Dozens of folks ditched their cars and started walking along the hard shoulder with suitcases and tow, while a slow convoy of demonstrators crawled. Along the motorway, only one lane's open pass junction 6 at Blanchor's Town right now, according to transport infrastructure Ireland, leaving the whole stretch backed up. Like a parking lot between junctions 4 and 5, drivers are fuming nationwide as similar blockades hit major roads, motorways, even O'Connell Street in Dublin, with fuel stations shut down and public transport thrown into chaos. Government officials warned that if these protests drag on, we could see shortages in drinking water, medical supplies, school buses, and food, deliveries across the country. Dublin airports telling passengers to build an extra time or reroute away from the M50 and M1 to dodge the mess, keeping everyone moving despite the gridlock.